Nathan Monk became an instant hero for Lake Wendouree by securing victory over Redan with a goal after the final siren in the Ballarat Football League at the City Oval on Saturday.
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He wobbled the ball through the big sticks for a five-point win from outside 50 metres after marking with just a few seconds remaining in the round one encounter.
Monk had spent all day at full back and with Lakers throwing everyone forward in a desperate bid to beat the clock found himself on the end of a pass from coach Tim Malone as the clock ticked past the 30-minute mark..
“I’d been deep most of the game. I thought I might as well roll the dice and run forward.”
He paid credit to the pass by Malone.
“The credit goes to him really. It’s all him.”
Monk said he momentarily considered handballing after taking the mark.
“I was ready to handball it off. I had Lukey Bucknall there. I said mate I don’t want it.
“It wasn’t the best kick I’ve ever done. Ah well, I’m happy with it.”
He described the match-winning kick as an “unreal moment”.
Monk said admitted thinking that with Lakers down by seven points with less than a minute he thought they were “toast.”
Bucknall then goaled to close the gap to one point.
As huge as the win was for Lake Wendouree, it was heartbreaking for Redan, which had control for most of the second half with a 28-point turn around in the third term to lead by 14 points, and then on the back of desperate defending having what shaped as a match-winning lead when Dean Matthews rolled through a goal on 26 minutes.
Nick Peters and Ben Taylor were prominent through the midfield for Lakers, while ruckman Arthur Armstrong impressed on debut in an enthralling contest with Redan youngster and first-gamer Nick Hausler.
Nick Willox had an outstanding day in attack for the Lions with five goals.
Tom Lamb also impressed on his return, while Chris Giampaolo was rock solid in defence and on the ball.
IN another thriller, East Point came from 22 points down at three quarter time to salvage a draw with Ballarat at the Eastern Oval.
The first half was a dour struggle with neither side able to make the most of its opportunities, but it was the pace of the young inexperienced Ballarat outfit that seemed to be the most impressive factor, particularly for coach Shane Hutchinson.
Bryson McDougall was instrumental in the Kangaroos’ fight back.
He finished with six majors, including two goals late in the day to help snatch the draw.
AND in the Saturday night clash at Sunbury’s Clark Oval, it was Sunbury which had a convincing 38-point win over a disappointing Melton in a low-scoring affair.
Lake Wendouree 13.16 (94) d Redan 14.5 (89)
GOALS – Lake Wendouree: N. Pring 2, T. Nijam 2, L. Bucknall 2, B. Taylor 2, J. Elkington 2, B. Edwards, B. Hayes, N. Monk. Redan: N. Willox 5, N. Horbury 3, D. Chester 2, C. Currie, R. Waight, D. Mathews, G. Bell
BEST – Lake Wendouree: A. Armstrong, N. Peters, B. Taylor, B. Hayes, I. Kirby, N. Pring. Redan: N. Willox, N. Hausler, T. Lamb, B. Schiltz, J. Short, C. Giampaolo
East Point 11.18-(84) drew with Ballarat 13.6 (84)
GOALS – East Point: B. McDougall 6, R. Monument 3, C. Bilney, M. Walsh. Ballarat: S. Hutchinson 2, N. O'Farrell 2, T. Conroy 2, J. Marshall 2, B. Van de Heuvel, J. Ford, D. Kennedy, J. Sutherland, J. Blackburn
BEST – East Point: R. Monument, P. Koderenko, B. McDougall, H. Dawborn, D. Murphy, C. Bilney. Ballarat: M. Martin, J. Ford, S. James, D. Kennedy, J. Marshall , T. Conroy
Sunbury 8.12 (60) d Melton 3.4 (22)
GOALS – Sunbury: B. Said 3, N. Wood, B. Guthrie, A. Duhau, T. Stead, A. Goodson. Melton: B. Kight 2, T. Button
BEST - Sunbury: P. MacDonough, A. Short, N. Bridgland, A. Magin, N. Wood, T. Hill. Melton: L. Walker, J. Kight, J. Gleeson, J. Grech, B. Kight, T. Button
OTHER MATCHES
Darley v Bacchus Marsh on Sunday
Melton South v North Ballarat City on Tuesday
Sebastopol bye